To the delight of the Belgian people, the wildly popular Princess Mathilde has announced she and Crown Prince Philippe are expecting their first child. The two married in 1999 with the charming Mathilde sparking “Mathilamania”, as the native press likes to say.
Virtually from the day Prince Philippe, son of King Albert II, and Mathilde d’Udekem d’Acoz took their vows the public have hoped for such an announcement. This week they got their wish.
“Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde are pleased to announce they are expecting a child,” read a statement from the palace. “The birth is expected in November. The King and Queen and all the royal family, and the family of Princess Mathilde, are delighted by the news.”
The 28-year-old Princess is the daughter of a Flemish aristocrat, but was brought up in the French-speaking south of the country. When her husband takes the throne, she’ll become the first Queen of Belgium to actually be of Belgian origin.
Her father-in-law, 66-year-old King Albert, has had quadruple heart bypass surgery and is said to be in ill health.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
